Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bob Donaldson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Bob thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I have always been the center of attention…or tried to be the center of attention. I always loved it when people laughed and had a good time when I was around. Sometimes this backfired since the right thing at the wrong time is still wrong. But, all in all, I really enjoy entertaining people and creating memories. I realized this when I used to do solo and duos for the Sunday School Christmas programs. Then again in High School when I was part of a group that sang “From a Distance” and this is when my friends and the student body realized I could sing, to tell you the truth, I was quite surprised as well, it was actually pretty good.

From then I would write songs, cover songs, play requests and even put my own words to the songs when I forgot them. I really enjoyed watching people sing along with me. Whether it is a fun song or a touching song that reminds them of something meaningful, it is quite enjoyable to be part of their memory. I quite often say that they may not remember my name or the songs I sang, but they will remember how I made them feel.

As I got older and developed some understanding of business, that’s when I took the career to the next level, the musical talent is only a part of success, you also need to know the business and, most importantly, surround yourself with people smarter than you.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I always wanted to write music for others to sing, that was my first goal. I have been writing since I was 16. I also love the release of singing songs on stage, it really fulfills a need and gives a great relief. Quite often after a show I am physically tired but it is so worth it!

As I matured in the music industry I was able to heed the advice given to me which was “if you’re the smartest one in the room, get out of that room”. I want to always be in a place to learn and take these lessons and build them into the entertainment.

I am proud that I have achieved the goal of writing songs and having someone else sing them. I have had three of my songs translated into Norwegian and released in Norway by a country music artist.

I am also proud of the two International Entertainer of the Year awards (2023/2024). I may make mistakes on stage with chords or words, but I love to entertain and make people feel something they don’t feel normally. Sometimes that is the songs I sing, sometimes that is the experience of playing their request, or playing a song I don’t know with them holding their phone with the lyrics and chords. I also love to bring someone on stage and putting them on the microphone and making them part of the show. Its all about the feeling.

I have very satisfied, repeat clients/bookings, because of my ability to entertain the room whether it is a theatre or a living room.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson to unlearn is that I don’t need to constantly be noise. Sometimes brevity is the key and silence speak volumes. I don’t have to be the funny one in the room or the loudest. I learned this lesson early in my career. As a crowd is made up of many different background and people, you can’t say the same things in one group that you may have said the night before in another group. This requires understanding personalities and reading the room. I learned the room will tell you what to say and what to sing.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

BE PRESENT!!!! You don’t need 1000 posts, but you need consistent posts. Even when you are between projects. When I am not promoting a single or a show, I am commenting on other artists and tagging them in posts about their projects. People get familiar with the name and get used to seeing it all the time. When I meet someone for the first time they quite often say “oh you’re Bob Donaldson”….sometimes it is coupled with “I thought you’d be taller”.

Another point for social media is to post in the third person, like you have a team. It’s much easier to promote yourself when it doesn’t look like you doing it. It adds credibility. Another piece of advice I received was “if you don’t promote yourself, no one else will”.

Build your social media by being present in your own social media and the social media of your peers that are at the same stage or just a little higher than you. Posting and tagging Garth Brook won’t go far, but promoting your friend’s show will have others follow you as well.

AND….don’t be a dick!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bobdonaldsonmusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/musicofbob
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/bobdonaldsonmusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicofbob
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/rwdlegal
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bob-donaldson-1
• Other: https://www.bobdonaldsonradio.com

Image Credits

Drew Borgwardt